Teacher Licensure Exam Restructured, Not Cancelled—NAGRAT President
Teacher Licensure Exam Restructured, Not Cancelled—Eric Angel Carbonu Sets the Record Straight
Some media reports suggested that the exam was being scrapped entirely, triggering anxiety among students preparing to enter the teaching profession.
However, the President of the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), Mr. Eric Angel Carbonu, has set the record straight. According to him, the GTLE is not being cancelled. Rather, it is undergoing restructuring to better serve the purpose of assessing teacher readiness at a more appropriate stage of their training.
What Prompted the Misunderstanding?
The Ministry of Education recently announced reforms to the teacher licensing process. Unfortunately, these updates were misinterpreted by sections of the public, leading many to assume the examination was being abolished. Mr. Carbonu clarified that the reforms are aimed at modifying the timing and structure of the exam, not its existence.
He noted that the spread of inaccurate information has created unnecessary panic, especially among final-year teacher trainees who are also preparing to complete their academic programmes.
Key Changes Coming to the GTLE
1. New Timing for the Exam
Currently, many teacher trainees sit for the GTLE before completing their academic studies, sometimes several months or even a year in advance. Under the revised structure, which takes effect after August 30, 2025, this will change. The examination will now either:
•Be written immediately after a trainee completes their programme, or
•Be merged with final semester assessments as part of their academic evaluation.
This adjustment aims to ensure that the exam fully reflects the trainees' academic and pedagogical competence at the point of graduation.
2. Existing Structure Continues for Now
Mr. Carbonu assured stakeholders that the current format will remain in place until the end of August 2025. As such, the upcoming GTLE scheduled for July 18–20, 2025, will be held as planned. Registered candidates should therefore proceed with their preparations without fear of cancellation or disruption.
Who Will Be Affected?
Final-Year Students (Level 400): Those completing their academic programmes by mid-September 2025 will experience the new system. They will either take the GTLE immediately after graduation or as part of their final semester exams.
July 2025 Candidates: Students registered for the July exam will write it under the existing structure. The changes will not affect them.
Why the Restructuring Matters
The GTLE remains a mandatory step toward professional teacher certification in the country. Aligning the exam more closely with academic timelines is expected to ease the transition from school to the classroom. According to Mr. Carbonu, this move will:
•Minimize unnecessary delays in certification,
•Provide a smoother path to employment,
•Improve fairness and relevance in assessment.
A Call for Calm and Accurate Information
Mr. Carbonu called on all teacher trainees and the general public to stay calm and disregard rumours suggesting that the GTLE is being scrapped. He assured that both NAGRAT and the Ministry of Education remain committed to keeping stakeholders informed as the restructuring process unfolds.
“The licensure examination is not being scrapped; it is being improved. The goal is to make it more efficient and aligned with the training calendar so that teachers enter the profession better prepared.”
— Eric Angel Carbonu, NAGRAT President
The GTLE continues to play a vital role in ensuring the quality and preparedness of teachers entering the classroom. What lies ahead is not cancellation, but rather a strategic improvement aimed at strengthening the profession. Teacher trainees are encouraged to stay focused, rely on official updates, and prepare confidently for their next steps.
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